What Are Fraternal Twins?

After the shock wears off and the frantic planning for doubling up begins, you'll probably wonder if the impending duo is as similar as any siblings or mirror images of each other. Chances are, your twins are fraternal. That gives you and them, the best of both worlds.

Fraternal Vs Identical Twins

Fraternal twins occur when a woman hyperovulates or releases two eggs during ovulation instead of one. Separate eggs are then fertilized by separate sperm. Fraternal twins are not DNA clones, they each have their own DNA. They are no more alike than any other set of siblings; other than the fact that they share a birth date (most of the time at least). Identical (monozygotic) twins who are born from the same split fertilized egg, are DNA clones and are always the same gender. There are a few other interesting facts that are unique about fraternal twins:

Chromosomes from the father's sperm determine the gender of the twins (XX for a girl, XY for a boy), therefore the twins can be both boys, girls or one of each.

Fraternal twins can have different fathers. This happens when a woman hyperovulates and one partner fertilizes an egg and then a different partner fertilizes another egg even up to days later. This phenomenon is called superfecundation.

Fraternal twins are basically siblings that share the same uterus. While the fetuses gestate together, they each have their own amniotic sac and their own placenta.

Fraternal twins share about 50% of the same DNA which is the same amount of DNA they would share with any of their siblings. Whereas, identical twins share the exact same DNA.

Fraternal twins may or may not look alike. This depends on the inherited genetics from their parents.

Each twin will have its own blood type which is determined by genetics.

Fingerprints of fraternal twins will be different, just as it would be with any of their other siblings.

Skipping a Generation

Identical twins are never hereditary. So if your parents had identical twins, you have as much chance of conceiving identical twins as anyone else in the world does. However, with fraternal twins, there is a genetic predisposition to hyperovulation. Some facts regarding this include:

If you hyperovulate, this makes it more likely you will have fraternal twins.

It seems that twinning skips a generation because the gene doesn't express itself in men. So while women in the family may hyperovulate and are more likely to have twins, sons merely pass the gene on.

Keep in mind though, being predisposed to hyperovulation doesn't mean you'll have twins, it just increases the chances.

A woman who is a fraternal twin or who has twin siblings is two-and-a-half times more likely to have twins herself, according to Columbia University experts.

You have a higher probability of twins if you are of African descent and a lower probability if you are of Asian descent.

Older women and women who have already given birth are more likely to carry fraternal twins.

BFF Fraternals

Fraternal twins may be extremely close - even sharing a secret language or an inexplicably close bond. However, don't count on it just because they're twins. Like anyone else in the family, they may fight, argue, and be as close or not close as they are with any other sibling in the family. Regardless, experts generally agree that it's important to let twins determine their attachment needs at their own pace.

Reaching Milestones

It's important to remember that fraternal twins are two different people who happen to have been born at the same time. It would not be unusual if they're milestone markers are different. It's not inconceivable that one twin will walk at 9 months, while another waits until their one year birthday. As long as they are developing within the range of normal, experts say there's nothing to worry about.

Success Strategies for Managing 'Twindom'

While your twins will have an undeniable bond, you should guide them to grow into confident separate people. There are a variety of ways you can facilitate this:

As your twins grow, be wary of treating two little personalities like a single entity.

Giving each twin "alone time" with parents. Fraternals are not a single unit and each one needs parent bonding.

Encourage individuality as much as possible, even (or especially) if they look alike.

Twins With a Difference

Fraternal twins are a twofer. They may exhibit all the behaviors of indistinguishable intuitively linked carbon copies. Or they may be as chill and independent as their other non-twin siblings. Most are a mix of alike and apart that will amaze and astound you. The one sure thing is, you're in for quite an adventure. Now try to get some sleep.

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